"It would have been slightly overarching and could have resulted in confusing the jury," he said. "As intelligent as these people may be, they are not lawyers. Why give them all sorts of legal technicalities to spend their time arguing over?"

The verdict is scheduled to be read at 1 p.m. The jury deliberated for nine hours.

Jackson's family has been present for much of the trial. His sister La Toya Jackson tweeted: "Verdict is FINALLY IN!!! I'm on my way! I'm shaking uncontrollably!"